Editor’s Letter: Top Highlights in Our December 11 Issue

As the Oscar season approaches, the prestigious Academy Museum is abuzz with activity, marking the start of year-end award festivities. Over the next few weeks, expect detailed discussions featuring this year’s acclaimed actors and directors. The series kicks off with an insightful look at the 2025 Oscar Actors Roundtable.

2025 Oscar Actors Roundtable Highlights

The December 11 issue of Emegypt features the cover story on the Envelope Actors Roundtable. Moderated by Yvonne Villarreal, the roundtable took place in The Times newsroom last month. Six prominent actors participated:

• Will Arnett — *Is This Thing On?*
• Benicio Del Toro — *One Battle After Another*
• Jacob Elordi — *Frankenstein*
• Wagner Moura — *The Secret Agent*
• Jesse Plemons — *Bugonia*
• Stellan Skarsgård — *Sentimental Value*

The discussion focused on finding balance in various aspects of life, including work, family, spontaneity, and ambition. Viewers can catch the premiere on multiple platforms, including Emegypt’s website and YouTube channel.

Laura Dern’s Resilience

Actress Laura Dern faces the challenge of coping with her mother’s recent passing while promoting two notable films. Dern, who recently lost her mother Diane Ladd, reflects on the emotional difficulty of addressing her family during promotional activities for *Is This Thing On?* and *Jay Kelly*.

During her interview with Margy Rochlin, Dern expressed her lifelong admiration and respect for her parents. She stated, “They are my muses, my guides, my teachers,” emphasizing their enduring influence on her life and career.

Behind the Scenes of *The Smashing Machine*

Director Benny Safdie’s film *The Smashing Machine* has garnered attention for its intense mixed martial arts action. Bob Strauss delivers an in-depth look at the film’s creation, focusing on the realism of the fight scenes.

Key insights include:

• Realistic sound effects were achieved using fingerless grappling gloves.
• Extensive recordings captured the sound of skin-on-skin strikes.
• Prosthetic makeup artist Kazu Hiro crafted a lifelike dummy to enhance authenticity.

These elements contributed to the film’s gripping impact and have sparked discussions about the innovative techniques used in its production.

Expect more engaging content and highlights in the upcoming December 11 issue of Emegypt.